Air India crash: Centre kicks off comprehensive review of airline performance, passenger safety

The government undertook an extensive review of safety, passenger facilitation, and airline performance in the aftermath of last week's deadly crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane in Ahmedabad.

Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu met Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and senior management of IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air on Thursday. The meeting focused on operational continuity, supporting transparent and accountable communication with the public, and ensuring passenger safety and convenience, according to a statement by the ministry.

The meeting was called to discuss the evolving scenario in the Middle East, enhanced safety checks, and a ban on night flying in Europe, according to the statement. Air India is also facing reduced aircraft availability. The carrier will temporarily scale down operations, restructure flights, and announce all flight schedule changes through the media, it said.

The government also said that no decision has been taken yet on sending the black box of the crashed Air India jet to the US and that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will take a call on the matter.

Following the crash, Air India is reducing flights to Europe and North America by 15% till mid-July to increase the availability of contingency aircraft for meeting any sudden flight disruptions. The airline has cancelled more than 80 flights since the crash that killed 241 people on board the Dreamliner and 34 on the ground.

Most of the affected flights of Air India were to be operated by 787s. These were cancelled due to enhanced inspections by the aviation regulator, the effect of which got worsened by the closure of Iran's airspace, forcing airlines to take longer detours. Night curfew in several European airports further delayed the return leg as pilots also ran out of their permitted duty hours.

Naidu also spoke with airport directors across India to review ground-level preparedness and passenger support mechanisms in the light of rescheduling of flights due to factors like enhanced checks post the Air India accident, weather changes, and closure of airspaces of certain countries due to geopolitical tensions.

"Close liaison with airlines was emphasised to ensure passenger issues are addressed swiftly and on the spot. Availability of food, drinking water, and adequate seating facilities at terminals must be ensured, particularly during flight delays or congestion. Sufficient personnel must be deployed at key touchpoints to manage passenger grievances proactively," the ministry said.

Airport directors were requested to extend all possible assistance to airlines facing operational disruptions, including gate reassignments and logistical support.

Earlier, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Faiz Ahmed Kidwai met Wilson and CEO of Air India Express Aloke Singh over a virtual meeting. The head of operations, safety and training of both airlines were part of the meeting.

"Both the airlines were asked to do a complete safety review and be extra cautious. If necessary, the airlines should cancel flights but enhanced checks are a must," a government official said.